Cary police target texters, distracted drivers
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Cary police were busy looking for "fast fingered" drivers Tuesday.
Since 7:30 a.m., they pulled over 31 people suspected of texting and driving or distracted driving. It's part of their "Don't Text and Drive campaign."
"People who are texting and driving, they're not as likely to perceive hazards in the roadway and they're likely to make mistakes," said Lt. Steve Wilkins with the Cary Police Department's Traffic Safety Team.
The crackdown targeted drivers on Maynard Road and Cary Parkway until 4 p.m.
Wilkins said it's hard to catch drivers in the act, but officers are using all their resources for the crackdown, including marked and unmarked vehicles and motorcycles.
Police say distracted driving has been a contributing factor in 71 wrecks in Cary since 2013. Wilkins says it's time to change that.
"The idea simply is to raise up public awareness. It's not about writing tickets. If we don't write the first ticket, we're OK. But if we can get the word out that texting and driving is dangerous and distracted driving is dangerous, that's really our goal today," said Wilkins.
In North Carolina, texting while driving carries a $100 fine plus $190 in court costs.
